Wedding Lingerie: Lets Be Brief - Underwear for your big day

Shopping for your wedding underwear should be high on your priority list and should not be left to the last minute. When you are shopping for your wedding dress it is important to think about the support that will be provided by your dress for example some ladies will be able to go braless on their wedding day thank to the great tailoring of their dresses - however other may find that shopping for the right strapless bra, in the right colour, with the right amount of push-up become a bit of a nightmare! Don't leave it until the last minute - it is important to take your underwear with you to wedding fittings as a bulk bra may cause problems with the way the dress sits!

As a previous sales assistant in a lingerie store, I would recommend that all women who buy ANY bra get a fitting. Bra sizes vary from store to store and if you have NEVER had a fitting you may surprised from the support and comfort that you gain from wearing the correctly sized bra. After being fitted professionally, do a bit of research; bigger busted ladies may struggle to get a nice ivory strapless as may ladies who are an AA cup.
A lot of strapless bras come with straps these days which may be clear plastic or in the same fabric as the bra itself.
There are also multiway bras available for brides who may have a halter style dress.
If you fancy something a little more lavish on your wedding day there is always the option of a bridal corset.

Below are a number of bras that may suit your needs on your big day:

The Angelina Satin Multiway Bra from Boux Avenue is a great strapless bra which starts at a 32A and goes all the way up to a 40G. The professional fitting service at Boux Avenue will ensure that you strapless bra is comfortable for you on your big day. This bra also comes with a selection of straps including clear straps to allow the bra to be worn as a halterneck. The satin is complemented well by the beautiful embroidery detailing. This bra retails at £35.

This Somerset by Alice Temperley Gatsby Bridal Basque and Suspender set from John Lewis is stunning. The detailing screams 1920's while the lace give the set a sophisticated and luxurious feel. As well as looking good this basque will nip and tuck you in all the right places ensuring you look your best under your dress. The set is £100 and briefs, thong and waspie are all available from John Lewis.

I also love this "Femme Fatale" strapless by Goddard, available at Figleaves. The beautiful embroidery and sparkly detailing contributes to the bridal feel of this bra. The Bra is available from a 30D to a 38D and retails at £42. Matching underwear and suspenders are available from Figleaves.

I also love the look of this cute and flirty longline bra by B by Ted Baker at Debenhams. The modern style twinned with classic lace works great together in my opinion. This bra retails at £30 and runs up to a size 38D. Matching hipster briefs are available.

This Charnos "Embrace" Multiway bra is available at Debenhams. The multway functionality of the bra means that you can adjust the straps to suit your dress. The bra itself has a pretty lace trim which gives it a nice bridal feel. This bra retails at £28 and runs up to a 38F cup. Matching briefs and suspender belt are available.

My final strapless suggestion is this lace strapless bra by Wonderbra available from Figleaves. If you are looking for a strapless bra that will give you some uplift without compromising on support then this may be the bra for you. The anti-slip band helps to ensure that your bra will stay in place. This bra is available in an A cup through to a G cup and is priced at £36.

I love this beautiful bra by Maison Lejaby. The underwear from this brand really captures a Parisian style that oozes elegance and sophistication. I think the button detailing on this bra is s pretty and unique. This bra is currently on sale at House of Fraser online - it usually retails at £59, but is currently available at £41. Check out lejaby.com for more beautiful masterpieces like this!

This funky Harlow bullet bra is available from WhatKatieDid.com - a fantastic fifties lingerie retailer. I think that this bra would look fab under a short wedding dress at a vintage wedding. The bra is available up to a 40F cup in this pretty peach colour and is for sale at £32.50

When it comes to knickers on your wedding day there are different avenues to explore.. Some brides may want to invest in some sculpting shape-wear for their big day and then change into something more elegant in the evening. Other ladies may want bridal lingerie that is comfortable enough to wear all day - there are lots of different options to explore include personalised briefs for your big day!

Here are some of my favourite ideas for shape-wear:

I love this Firm Control Sheer & No VPL Opaque body from Marks & Spencers. This shapewear is available in an A-DD cup. The body aims to target your tummy, waist and hips. It fastens with poppers and is wired under the bust. At only £27.50 I think this is a good buy.

Making Shapewear sexy is this contribution from Gossard at Figleaves - The Retrolution Waist Cincher which comes with 4 adjustable suspender straps. The Waist Cincher retails at £40.

This piece by Maison Lejaby is gorgeous. It is the Elixir Longilis Curvy Dress - designed to enhance your curves in all the right places. This dress is available in a 32D to a 36F. It is available at House of Fraser and retails at £139.

If you are channelling the fifties at your wedding and you are looking for some shapewear - take a gander at WhatKatieDid.Com. This is a fantastic retro lingerie site which also stocks vintage style shapewear. This girdle is great at shrinking your waistline and hips - it comes in this pretty peach colour and is available to buy at £41.50.

Here are some of my favourite briefs for your big day:

I think these personalised bikini briefs are adorable for your wedding day. These briefs are by Just For Eve and are available on Notonthehighstreet.com These embroidered briefs are available in ivory satin or chiffon with a selection of coloured embroidery available. I think this would make a great gift from a husband to be to his wife before their wedding day. The briefs are available up to a size 16 and retail at £39.

I love these Bridesmaid Bikini Briefs from Debenhams in a light pink colour with lace trim and silver detaling. I think they would make a cute gift for your bridemaids on the morning of the wedding! They retail at £6 each and are currently part of Debenhams multibuy knickers offer.

These pretty Champs Elysee Lace briefs are from Pompadour Lingerie (pompadourlingerie.co.uk). The pretty bow on the back gives these French knickers a wedding day twist. They are available in sizes 6-16 and retail at £55.

Here are a selection of lingerie treats you might fancy for your wedding day:

I love this Floral Lace Suspender Belt from Marks and Spencers in Ivory. The matching bra and pants set is available. The belt retails at £17.50

These John Lewis 7 Dernier Bridal Hold Up stockings are a bargain at only £8.50!

How gorgeous is this Alan Hannah Crystal Garter? It available exclusively online at Debenhams. At £30 it might seem like an extravagance - but I think it would make a great gift for her bride on her wedding day from her bridesmaids .

Take a look at this gorgeous blue garter from Mabelicious Bridal available from Notonthehighstreet.com. There are a number of different garters available which all have a vintage look to them with cute embellishments and pretty colours. This one is my favourite and retails at £38.50. The brand also sell other wedding items such as hair pieces, jewellery and bags.

I personally think that a bridal dressing gown is a must. If your photographer is taking some snaps of you as you get ready in the morning then I think that a pretty robe looks fabulous on the pictures - especially when your bridesmaids have matching ones too!

Take a look at these adorable robes -

I absolutely love this kimono style robe from Boux Avenue retailing at £45. The "Misha Mrs Satin Kimono" is a three quarter length gown that has wide sleeves and beautiful detailing on the back with "Mrs" embellished in diamantés.

If the Mrs Kimono takes your fancy then why not buy matching gowns for your bridesmaids! The "Misha Bridesmaid Kimono" comes in a beautiful light pink colour and have silver embroidered detailing on the back and additional sparkle with diamantés (£40 each)

If you are after a robe with a little more of a vintage feel or an air of Hollywood glamour, then this beautiful design from Marks and Spencers might be up your street. This floral lace wrap dressing gown with swarovski element detailing on the sleeves is stunning. The robe retails at £39.50 and is available in size 8-22.

If you have a little more cash to splash then take a look at this beautiful gown by Ell and Cee which screams decadence and Hollywood glamour. This is the Pearl Margot Maxi in a beautiful chiffon fabric that gives a beautiful movement to this long luxurious gown. The pearl belt finishes this robe off perfectly. It is no wonder that this Maxi is popular with A-listers. This maxi is priced at £195 and is available at ellandceebride.co.uk.

There are lots of options for bridal nightwear and the main thing to consider is personal choice - whether you fancy a chemise, a babydoll, a basque or silk pyjamas - there are lots to choose from. Here are a few of my current favourites:

I adore this gorgeous ivory diamante lace teddy from Presence at Debenhams. The front panel is beautiful sheer lace and there is additional lace details on the shorts. The teddy as an elasticated waist making it not only flattering but also comfortable to sleep in. I think that it is a bargain at only £25.

If you are looking for something a bit more fun to wear on your wedding morning then how about these cute pyjama short sets, also by Presence at Debenhams? There are both "Bride" sets and "Team Bride" sets available at £20, so you and your favourite girls can match whilst getting ready for the your big day.

The Angelique Tie Satin Chemise is a beautiful boudoir option - the flirty tie side fastening matches the bow ribbon detailing seen on the straps. This chemise is from Boux Avenue who stock a wide range of bridal nightwear. The selling price for this piece is £35 and it is available in a size 10 up to a size 18.

This Dreamgirl seduction babydoll and thong set is available from Freemans.com. This chiffon babydoll features a flyaway back detail as well as eye-catching sparkly embroidery on the wired cups. This babydoll is also available in a plus size set which goes up t a 4XL. The retail price for both sets is £55.